| 9961 |
Minutes of a Meeting of the Wickhambrook Parish Council
25th March 2004 at 7.30 p.m. in All Saints Church Meeting
Room |
Present
Cllrs. J. Wilson (Chairman), P. Bevan, S. Sumner, A. Harrison,
K. Merritt , J. Claydon, J. Walker
County Cllr. J. Midwood; Borough Cllr. D. Redhead; Community
Beat Officer P.C. M. England
Clerk P. Miller.
1. Apologies for absence
None received
2. Minutes of Meeting of 22nd
January 2004
The previously issued minutes were then taken as read and signed.
3. Matters arising.
There were no matters arising that were not otherwise on the
agenda.
4. Declarations of interest in agenda
items.
There were no declarations of interest.
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ACTION |
5. Reports
5.1 County Cllr. |
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5.1.1 Locality Fund. Considerable unspent funding across
the County has led to suggestions that funding should be reduced.
However for 2004/5 funding is the same as 2003/4.
Application from the Primary School for assistance with heating
of swimming pool withdrawn. Funding to be provided for surfacing
under the large tree on the front playground.
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5.1.2 Suffolk Rural Partnership. New quango on rural issues.
Benefits doubtful but could be costly.
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5.1.3 Highways. Met with Highways management in February and
identified many serious problems but has been rebuffed on most
of them. Potholes had not been attended to - those outside Grove
Farm, Attleton Green, of particular concern as the road is breaking-up
completely.
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5.1.4 Crime. Workshop at Shardelows Farm broken into for the
second time. Again access was across fields.
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5.1.5 Travellers. Use of site is legal while they submit differing
planning applications.
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5.1.6 Safety to School. The footway via Thorns Close is little
used. Parking outside the school is becoming a problem again.
PC England agreed to contact the Headteacher.
The Clerk was instructed to write to the Headteacher on both
issues. |
M.E.
Clerk |
| 5.2 Borough Cllr |
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5.2.1 Social Security Benefits. Only about 50% of those eligible
are applying. Anyone likely to be eligible should be encouraged
to apply. Savings of less than £18,000 and weekly income
below £82 for a single person or £150 for a married
couple likely to meet the criteria. Applicants should not be
discouraged by concerns about form filling as dedicated staff
at Bury and Haverhill will assist.
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5.2.2 Suffolk Rural Partnership. Villages will be asked to
get involved. Having attended two other county partnerships
doubts benefits and feels that they will be very costly. At
both, there was much talk about affordable housing but it is
difficult to see how such can be achieved.
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| 5.2.3 Council Tax. Borough Council element 6.5%. |
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| 5.3 Community Beat Officer |
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5.3.1 Speeding. The devices in Ashley were temporary speed
monitors and have now been removed.
Suffolk has decided not to use these speed monitors as they
are not considered to provide true statistics as drivers tend
to slow down in response to speed flash from preceding vehicle.
The permanent flashing signs in Cavendish were successful at
first but effectiveness has tailed-off.
Recent speed checks in Lidgate indicate that present control
methods are not adequate and additional provision is being considered.
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| 5.3.2 Crime Prevention. Village presentation planned for 24th
April – venue to be confirmed. Will provide for photographing
of valuables and advice on secure storage etc. |
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5.3.3 Crime. Thefts from barns and sheds, particularly of
small machinery, are still a major concern.
The Clerk advised that he had had a Healthy Homes survey carried
out on his own property and reported on it for the current issue
of the Scene. |
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5.3.4 Abandoned vehicles. Two of the three vehicles on Boyden
Close had been removed and the third should go this week. The
one on Nunnery Green, opposite the Greyhound, should be removed
soon.
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| 9962 |
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6. Clerk’s Report
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| 6.1 Parish Conference follow-up. Circulated. No action required. |
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| 6.2 Go-East Renewable Energy follow-up. Circulated. No action
required. |
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| 6.3 NHS Public and Patient Strategy draft. Circulated. No
action required. |
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| 6.4 Rural Housing seminars. Circulated. No action required.
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| 6.5 Clerks and Councils Direct, January issue. Circulated.
No action required. |
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| 6.6 Wildlife Trust newsletters. Circulated. No action required. |
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| 6.7 Haverbury News. Circulated. No action required. |
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| 6.8 SALC/ACRE/SCC Spring Conference on Rural Transport. Circulated.
No action required. |
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| 6.9 ACRE “Suffolk Scene” newsletter. Circulated.
No action required. |
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| 6.10 Planning training course. Circulated. No action required. |
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| 6.11 Code of Conduct misconduct investigations consultation.
Circulated. No action required. |
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| 6.12 Register of Interests – declaration of organisational
membership. Circulated. No action required. |
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| 6.13 SALC, “The Local Councillor” newsletter -
Circulated. No action required. |
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| 6.14 Emergency Planning Officer. No response received to appeal
for volunteer published on Notice Board and website. |
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| 6.15 SALC Training Programme. Circulated. Place booked for
Cllr. Sumner on course commencing 30th March. Approved. |
SS |
| 6.16 Suffolk Preservation Society newsletter. Circulated.
No action required. |
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| 6.17 Vital Villages Update. Circulated. Cllr. Wilson raised
possible need for car sharing scheme. Not considered necessary.
Agreed no action be taken. |
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| 6.18 Future electoral arrangements for Suffolk County Council
– abstract of draft recommendations. Circulated. No action
required. |
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| 6.19 Probert Community Initiative Awards. A suggested nominee
to be considered further. |
JW |
| 6.20 Village of the Year. Circulated. Entry suggested. The
Clerk advised that the criteria could not be met. Borough Cllr.
Redhead commented that many villages entering started preparing
2/3 years ahead. Agree that no action be taken. |
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| 6.21CPRE “Countryside Voice” newsletter. Circulated.
In response to a suggestion from Cllr. Sumner regarding signposting
of village greens the Clerk pointed out that this was already
being progressed. |
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| 6.22 Wildlife Trust fact sheet “Managing Wildlife Habitats”.
Circulated. On suggestion from Cllrs. Bevan and Sumner that
such information be provided on the village website, the Clerk
advised that it is already available on the Wildlife Trust website.
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| 6.23 Internet – “One Suffolk” update. In
response to comments from Cllrs. Sumner and Bevan, the Clerk
advised that a link should be provided from the village website
and that use of this free facility must be considered when reviewing
the future of the village website. |
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| 6.24 Borough Council Open Day. On circulation. |
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| 6.25 Parish Conference. On circulation. |
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| 6.26 Clerks and Councils Direct, March issue. On circulation. |
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| 6.27 SALC AGM. On circulation. |
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| 6.28 DTI/DEFRA Rural Broadband information. On circulation. |
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| 6.29 Road Safety in Suffolk guide. On circulation. |
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6.30 Outreach Holiday Activity Programme. Borough Sport Development
Officer proposing to provide sessions during the school holidays.
Details of available facilities and contacts being provided.
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Clerk |
| 7. Finance |
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| 7 .1 The following payments were approved: |
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| 7.1.1 |
1093 |
P. Miller |
Telephone costs |
99.30 |
| 7.1.2 |
1094 |
Allianz Cornhill |
Insurance premium 2004/5 |
1,416.19 |
| 7.1.3 |
1095 |
P. Miller |
Clerk’s salary, January to March |
669.47 |
| 7.1.4 |
1096 |
P. Miller |
Clerk’s home/office costs |
45.00 |
| 7.1.5 |
1097 |
Griffin Fencing |
Cemetery gate post replacement |
170.37 |
| 7.1.6 |
1098 |
St Edmundsbury B.C. |
Cemetery rates 2004/5 |
114.00 |
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| 7.2 The following income was received: |
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| 7.2.1 |
100349 |
Saxon Monumental |
Cemetery fee |
10.00 |
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7.3 Bank mandates. The bank had confirmed all mandates received.
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7.4 Cemetery fees review. Deferred to Annual Parish Council
Meeting.
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Clerk |
7.5 Precept. The Clerk reported that he had issued the precept
demand.
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| 9963 |
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| 8. Planning |
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8.1 The following applications had been considered by the
Parish Council on circulation:
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8.1.1 SE/04/1061/P – Easterwood Farm – holiday
accomodation – no objection
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8.1.2 SE/04/1294/P – Rosedale, Wickham Street –
extensions – no objection
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8.1.3 SE/04/1433/P – OS 5806, Bury Road, Depden –
residential caravans – objection
impact on visual amenity; inadequate vehicle access; inadequate
screening; no programme for permanent amenities provision; conflicts
with Local Plan policies. |
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8.2 The following applications granted/refused by the Borough
Council or withdrawn were noted:
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8.2.1 SE/03/3751/P – 9 Wickham House Bungalows - replacement
- granted
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8.2.2 SE/03/3806/P – Grove Farm Stud – outline,
managers dwelling - granted
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8.2.3 SE/03/3900/P – land off Wash Lane – storage
hut - refused
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8.2.4 SE/03/3956/P – Plot 4, Clopton Park – front
extension - granted
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8.2.5 SE/03/3994/P – 8 Wickham House Bungalows –
replacement - granted
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9. Annual Parish Meeting
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9.1 Date and venue. Week commencing 17th May. Actual date
and venue to be confirmed.
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Clerk |
| 9.2 Crystal Biscuit Barrel award. Nominee to be contacted. |
PB |
| 9.3 Retirement presentation. Gift to be arranged. |
JW |
| 10. Estates Committee |
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10.1 Minutes of meeting of 10th February had been issued.
No matters were raised.
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10.2 Minutes of meeting of 9th March had been issued.
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10.2.1 Cllr. Wilson advised that a request for access across
a corner of Moor Green was being considered and asked all Cllrs.
to view the site and advise any comments to himself or the Clerk
prior to the Estates Committee meeting on 6th April.
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All |
| 10.3 Cllr. Wilson advised that he would not stand for appointment
to the Committee at the Annual Parish Council Meeting. |
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| 11. MSC |
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11.1 Representatives report. Cllr. Sumner reported on the
March trustees meeting
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11.1.1 Public Liability Insurance. The meeting had asked whether
the Parish Council could obtain insurance for the whole of the
recreation ground to reduce cost to the MSC. The Clerk advised
that this should be possible as the Parish Council maintains
the whole area but it may depend on ownership – to be
discussed with insurers.
The Clerk asked that the request be formalised in writing.
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Clerk
SS |
11.1.2 Bank interest. An explanation had been given for the
low rate. The Clerk was instructed to request further information
by letter.
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Clerk |
11.1.3 Tree surgery. Quote received and agreed.
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| 11.1.4 Burglar alarm. There had been some false alarms. |
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| 12. United Charities representatives report |
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| Cllr. Wilson reported that the response re. the Borough Council
grant was still awaited |
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| 13. SALC Area meeting, 17th March. |
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| Cllr. Merritt reported that he had been unable to attend.
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14. Broadband
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Cllr. Bevan reported that he had attended a meeting on the
24th March at Shire Hall where the different options had been
discussed. The BT option appeared to be the most appropriate
for the village.
The NHS wants all surgeries connected and the Government wants
all schools connected so cabling will probably be brought in
for both. Residential connection to the NHS link would not be
possible for confidentiality reasons but if the school is separate
then connection to that system may be negotiable.
The overriding factor is to achieve the BT activation figure
for the local exchange so a local publicity campaign is needed
– possibly leafleting with Scene and/or Whats-on. |
PB |
15. Hedges, Verges, Roads and Drains
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15.1 Thorns Close house numbering. Borough response awaited.
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Clerk |
15.2 Coltsfoot Green flooding. The under-road culvert had
been cleared. Blockage of drainage ditches at the top of the
lane had been reported to Highways.
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| 15.3 U7053 (Boyden End to Nunnery Green) speed limit. The
40 mph zone had been extended and the appropriate signs erected. |
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| 9964 |
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| 16. Rights of Way |
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| Footpath 36, Badmondisfield Hall. The report of the Rights
of Way Sub-Committee had been circulated. This recommended that
no action be taken and that the cul-de-sac route of the footpath
be left alone. |
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| 17. Hedgerow Survey |
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| Cllr Bevan reported on a meeting he had attended at Shire
Hall. The Survey requires identification of the content of each
hedgerow to allow for monitoring over the next 25 years. Surveyors
need training in flora identification and recording procedures.
The average village takes 2 years to survey. Detailed, wartime,
aerial photographs exist that would allow identification of
lost and new hedgerows. |
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18. Haverbury Inspection
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Cllr. Wilson reported that he and the Clerk had attended an
inspection of Nunnery Green with a representative of Haverbury,
the Community Beat Officer and another police officer. The main
area of concern had been abandoned cars which the Community
Beat Officer agreed to deal with. A reporter from Suffolk Radio
had attended and had interviewed Cllr. Wilson about local concerns.
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| 19. Bus Shelters |
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A letter from the Borough re. provision of shelters had been
circulated. The Clerk advised that the closing date for applications
had passed. It was noted that the provision of shelters had
been considered at length in the past but that there had been
little support and difficulty in finding a suitable location.
It was agreed that no action be taken.
The Clerk suggested that it might be useful to have bus stop
signs. |
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20. Date of next meeting
Thursday 15th April, 7.30 p.m. in All Saints Church Meeting
Room
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21. Dates of subsequent meetings
27th May (Annual Parish Council Meeting); 24th June
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| 22. Any other business |
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| 22.1 Cllr. Bevan reported that broken branches on Willow trees
at the entrance to Nunnery Green. The Clerk commented that these
trees also hang very low over the footway and could be hazardous
to pedestrians. To be reported to the Borough. |
Clerk |
| Meeting closed at 9.55 p.m. |
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